by: Brent Smith at the Common Constitutionalist

Scroll Down for Audio Version

Christmas is almost upon us. And for those like me who celebrate it, we really look forward to this particular holiday season.

But one of the problems with being a political commentator is that it’s what readers, listeners and viewers expect all the time. One doesn’t want to navigate to their favorite political website, only to discover that it’s filled only with recipes and how to put together the perfect holiday gift basket.

Normally this isn’t a problem for us. No matter the season, there is always something going on in this country or worldwide for which to dovetail into politics. Sad really, but true, particularly in the ongoing battle against leftism. The left, as we are well aware, always boils everything down to politics, especially when it comes to religious holidays like Christmas and Easter.

For any radical Antifa members or hard left followers who happened to be reading this article, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and Easter is the celebration of his resurrection after he was crucified by the Romans. And for those who are unfamiliar with crucifixion, you can ask New Jersey Senator Corey Booker. Corey knows all about it, for he is Spartacus! read more

by: Brent Smith at the Common Constitutionalist

No Audio Version

Sorry folks, but no Podcast today. For those unfamiliar, I do a video podcast every weekend that airs today. But not this time. No – this time it has nothing at all to do with production problems. It has nothing to do with technical issues, more often than not caused by my own ineptitude.

This time it was pure pleasure. I had a choice to make and I chose family over politics.

Every year my sons and I revel in a trek into the woods in search of a Christmas tree. Sure, we could do it the easy way and pick one out one from the many lots around town. And to be sure, we would likely get a beautiful one.

We could also choose the blasphemous path and buy a synthetic “Fake” tree – maybe hang some pine tree air-fresheners on it to replicate that outdoorsy scent. Yummy!

But we Smith’s enjoy the thrill of the hunt. So off we went, two weekends ago, into the wilderness, to scout for and tag a tree. This year we were exceptionally lucky and found a beautiful 7 ft white pine. And best yet, it was only about a mile in. In years past we’ve been known to trek twice that in seeking out the perfect wild tree. As we strode through the woods, invariably one or the other of my sons, or both, would recount a story from a previous year – “Remember that year when…?” read more

by: the Common Constitutionalist

Christmas is one the happiest times of the year. Actually, I guess the song says “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s a time for giving. It’s a time for family, charity and kindness toward others. And yes, it’s also a time for us to all gather around the tree Christmas morning and exchange gifts.

But what happens if the gifts aren’t there to exchange? What happens if it’s not up to Santa? What happens if, for instance, a delivery company doesn’t get them there on time?

Well, that’s exactly what’s happened to possibly tens of thousands of Americans this holiday season as package delivery giant FedEx admitted they were not able to absolutely, positively get there. FedEx guarantees on time delivery, but for many customers, it could not make good on that guarantee. Many of the delays were due to severe weather across the Southeast, but FedEx is also blaming a flood of last minute shoppers.

Okay, so thousands of packages didn’t get to be opened on Christmas day. Considering FedEx estimated deliveries between black Friday and December 25th to be about 317 million, that’s really not bad. And as I said – this is the season of love and giving and understanding – right? read more

by: the Common Constitutionalist

I’d like build upon the article I wrote yesterday entitled, “Stop Making Excuses for Islam.” In it I expressed my frustration over the constant refrain from Islam apologists that “That Is Not Islam,” every time a Muslim expresses his intolerance of something outside his “faith.”

I am reminded of the idiotic remark said by president Obama in Egypt while on his infamous “Apology Tour” of 2009. Actually, he said a lot of stupid things like, “The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars.” Well, he’s half right, but it certainly isn’t the “coexistence and cooperation” part.

But what should have garnered the biggest laugh was this:

“I’ve come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.” read more

The gift of a gun may be high on many Floridians’ holiday shopping lists.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says it is on target to conduct nearly 1 million background checks this year on private firearm purchases. The projection comes as the department is reporting a record number of reviews conducted over the Thanksgiving weekend that typically kicks off the year-end holiday shopping season.

We have definitely seen an increase in the number of background checks over the past several years,” FDLE spokeswoman Samantha Andrews said Monday.

“You can see November and December are relatively larger” for sales. read more